Assam to set up India's first public proton beam therapy centre

Assam is set to become home to India's first public-sector proton beam therapy centre, following an agreement signed by the state government with Belgium-based Ion Beam Applications (IBA) on October 31. The facility will be established at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Guwahati, with an estimated investment of INR 600 crore. It is expected to take at least three years to become operational.

The development is significant for India's cancer-care infrastructure, as proton beam therapy has so far been available at only a limited number of private hospitals in the country. The proposed centre aims to make the specialised treatment more accessible to patients who may otherwise have to travel to metropolitan cities and pay substantial amounts for care.

What is proton beam therapy and how can it help cancer patients?

Proton beam therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that uses high-energy protons, rather than the X-rays or photons used in conventional radiotherapy, to target cancer cells. Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of atoms. In treatment, they are accelerated to high speeds and directed towards a tumour.

One of the key differences lies in how the radiation is delivered. Conventional X-ray beams continue travelling through the body after reaching a tumour, exposing some surrounding healthy tissue to radiation. Proton beams can be controlled to release most of their energy at a specific depth and stop near the tumour. This allows doctors to target cancer cells while limiting radiation exposure to nearby organs and tissues. The approach may help reduce certain side effects and long-term complications.

The treatment can be particularly useful for selected cancers located close to sensitive structures, including the brain, spinal cord, eyes and other vital organs. It is also an important option to consider for some children with cancer, as reducing radiation exposure to developing tissues may lower the risk of long-term effects. However, proton therapy is not suitable for every cancer or every patient. Specialists assess the tumour's location, type and other clinical factors before recommending it.

What is the cost involved?

The centre is expected to be equipped with the ProteusONE proton therapy system. The project has a proposed budget of INR 600 crore, comprising INR 315 crore in World Bank funding and INR 285 crore from the Assam government. Doctors, medical physicists, technicians and other healthcare professionals will receive specialised training from IBA, with some personnel also expected to train at international facilities.

The public-sector model is significant because proton therapy has been expensive in India, with treatment costs reported to reach around INR50 lakh at private facilities. Bringing the technology into a government hospital could improve affordability, although the actual cost to patients will depend on the centre's eventual pricing and access arrangements.

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